Vacuum cleaner nozzle



April 3, 1956 J. w. BISHOP 2,740,153

VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE Filed Jan. 28, 1954 Fig.

Jerry W Bis/70p INVENTOR.

United States Patent VACUUNI CLEANER NOZZLE Jerry W. Bishop, Downs, Kans.,

to R. L. Hamilton,

assignor of fifty per cent Beloit, Kans.

This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle and more particularly to a device enabling the operator of a vacuum cleaner to position the inlet end of the suction conduit in relatively inaccessible places for removing dust and dirt therefrom.

An object of this invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a flexible portion which can be deflected in order to clean behind objects such as radiators and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a flexible portion and having novel means for maintaining the flexible portion in a substantially straight line position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a flexible portion and having novel means for deflecting one end of said nozzle from a straight line position.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle having the above characteristics which can be quickly and easily attached to any conventional vacuum cleaner.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle having the above characteristics which is simple and eflicient in construction, and durable and lasting in use.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the improved nozzle forming the subject of this invention attached to the suction conduit of a vacuum cleaner and in position for cleaning beneath a radiator;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle forming the subject of this invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the section line 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the section line 44 of Figure 3.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the improved vacuum cleaner nozzle forming the subject of this invention includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion 12. Both sections 10 and 12 are tubular in cross-section, and one end of the flexible section 12 embraces one end of the rigid section 10. A band 14 of suitable material, such as rubber or the like holds the end of flexible portion 12 in position on the end of rigid section 10. The flexible section 12 is formed of plastic, rubber or other suitable material.

The other end of rigid section 10 is flared outwardly, as at 16, and is also provided with a notch 18 whereby the rigid section 10 may be easily attached to the end of a suction conduit 20 of a conventional vacuum cleaner 22. The rigid section 10 may be either connected directly to the conduit 20 or to a tubular wand 24 which is connected to the conduit=20i Secured witliin tlie other: endlof the flexible portion 12 is airigidl'ing 26. The end of flexible portion 12-"is-rnaintained in position on the ring 26 by a band 28 of'sir nilar material as the band 14. A helical spring 30 having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the rigid portion 10 is disposed wtihin the flexible portion 12 and is secured at one end to the rigid portion 10 and at its other end to the ring 26. If desired, each end of the helical spring 30 can be provided with a section of compression spring to permit attachment of the spring to the ring 26 and the rigid portion 10. The main portion of spring 30 is of expansible type.

Secured to the inner periphery of the ring 26 is a hook member 32. A flexible strand or member 34 is connected at one end to the hook 32 and extends throughthe flexible portion 12 toward the rigid portion 10. The rigid portion 10 is provided with an aperture 36 adjacent the band 14, and the flexible member 34 passes through the aperture 36 to a point remote from the nozzle.

In practical use of the device, the rigid section 10 is placed in position on either the wand 24 or on the end of the conduit 20. Then, when it is desired to clean behind an object, such as radiator 38, the flexible member 34 is pulled, causing the free end of the nozzle to bend to a position as shown in Figure 1. Thus, it is possible to easily clean behind fixed or heavy objects which are inaccessible with conventional attachments for vacuum cleaners. Release of tension on the flexible member 34 will allow the spring 34 to urge the flexible portion 12 to the straight line position.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising: a rigid tube for connection to a suction conduit, a flexible tube mounted on said rigid tube and projecting longitudinally therefrom, a helical spring mounted concentrically in the flexible tube and substantially coextensive therewith for yieldingly resisting bending thereof, said spring having one end anchored to the free end portion of said flexible tube and its other end anchored to said rigid tube, and a flexible strand extending into the flexible tube from the rigid tube and having one end anchored off-center to said free end portion of said flexible tube for bending same against the tension of the spring, said strand being free to move longitudinally relative to the rigid and flexible tubes except at its connection to the latter and having its other end accessible to an operator.

2. A vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising: a rigid tube for connection to a suction conduit, said rigid tube having an opening therein intermediate the ends thereof, a flexible tube mounted on one end portion of the rigid tube and extending longitudinally therefrom, a ring fixed in the free end portion of the flexible tube, a helical spring mounted longitudinally in the flexible tube for yieldingly resisting bending thereof, said spring being substantially coextensive with said flexible tube and having its ends fixed to the rigid tube and the ring, and a flexible strand slidable through the opening and extending longitudinally through the spring from the rigid tube and having one end anchored off-center to the ring for bending the flexible tube against the tension of said spring, said strand being free English Dec. 19, 1911 Gilmore et a1. Oct. 3, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 1904 

